Guantanamo releases - a welcome day, but no triumph for rule of law

4.31.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 24th Jan 2005

Regarding the return of four British prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Liberal Democrat MEP for London and European justice spokeswoman, Sarah Ludford said:

"They and their families have been waiting for this day for three years and I am delighted that they can finally see each other again. Fears surround the state of their health and no doubt in due course they will pursue issues of compensation and redress."

"We need clear answers from the government on why their detention in Guantanamo has been tolerated for so long and assurances that their full legal rights will now be upheld in this country."

"We also need to remember the continuing imprisonment without trial not only of 550 others in Guantanamo Bay but also the dozen foreign nationals in Belmarsh under the UK's anti-terrorism legislation. These men, whose detention may be based on evidence obtained through torture, must also either be released or charged and given a fair trial."

"Tomorrow's releases do nothing to mitigate the gradual Anglo-American erosion of the rule of law in the post 9/11 world, compounded by Bush's appointment as US Attorney-General of Albert Gonzales who gave the green light for torture."

"We must not forget London Residents Bisher al-Rawi and Jamil al-Banna who are still held in Guantanamo, and whom the British government washes its hands of despite their UK residency status. They still languish in that legal black hole and all decisions on their releases lie with the US Government"